History
Addis Ababa University (AAU), which was established in 1950 as the University College of Addis Ababa (UCAA), is the oldest and the largest higher learning and research institution in Ethiopia. Since its inception, the University has been the leading center in teaching-learning, research and community services.
Education
At present the University has 10 colleges, 4 institutes that run both teaching and research, and 6 research institutes that predominantly conduct research. Within these academic units, there are 55 departments, 12 centers, 12 schools, and 2 teaching hospitals.
Research
Taking into account the reform in the University, coupled with the responsibility entrusted to the institution by the Government, AAU has recently welcomed a new vision of becoming a pre-eminent research university in Africa. As a result, research has been given a new organizational platform under a new direction and new set of policy framework. The change at AAU underscores that research should proactively respond to the national demand of generating and disseminating new knowledge and technology, strengthening and developing the capacity of students in contemporary science and technology.
Library services
The main university library is the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, which was opened in August 1969. It is located on the Main Campus (at Sidist Kilo). It primarily holds library materials on humanities and social sciences and serves almost all the University community and registered external users.
ICT services
The mission of the ICT Directorate is to play a major enabling role in strengthening the operational missions of the University, namely learning-teaching, research and innovation, community engagements, institutional development and administrations.
Sports facilities
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all students who are interested in participating in Extracurricular Activities and Sports are given a fair opportunity to do so. This policy is largely aimed at:
- developing useful new capabilities in students that can lead to extension of career opportunities;
- developing student initiatives and providing opportunities for exercising responsibilities;
- advancing students’ leadership capabilities and good organizational skills;
- enhancing the social skills of students through building interpersonal skills;
- enabling students to explore a wider range of individual interests that might be available in the regular program;
Student clubs
- The Yellow Movement.
- The leadership and Debate Club.
- Addis Ababa University Male's Solidarity Club for Gender Equality and Elimination of GBV/Yewendoch Agarnet Kibeb)
Addis Ababa University Overview
Addis Ababa University Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 11.3% Ethiopia
Top 100% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
601
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 601 | 601 | 601 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
709
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 46 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 573 | 663 | 709 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
851
By TopUniversities
Dropped 80 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 851 | 771 | 851 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Addis Ababa University Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Ethiopia Country
Addis Ababa City
Addis Ababa University Student Reviews & Awards
3.8
Based on 100 reviews
- 5 Star 19 Reviews
- 4 Star 41 Reviews
- 3 Star 36 Reviews
- 2 Star 3 Reviews
- 1 Star 1 Review
How Students Rated This University
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.0
- Quality of Student Life 4.0
Growth-Oriented Academic Experience
My overall study experience has been both challenging and rewarding. Throughout my academic journey, I have gained valuable knowledge, practical skills, and a deeper understanding of my field. The learning environment encouraged critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent research, which helped me grow both academically and personally. What I really appreciated was the support from instructors and the availability of learning resources. The courses were well-structured and relevant, allowing me to connect theory with real-world applications. Additionally, group work and class discussions enhanced my communication and teamwork skills. However, there are areas that could be improved. In some cases, better organization of course materials and more timely feedback would enhance the learning experience. Increasing access to practical training opportunities or internships would also better prepare students for the professional world. In summary, my study experience has been positive and impactful. It has equipped me with the necessary skills and confidence to pursue my future career, while also highlighting areas where the institution can continue to improve.
HSB and resilience post-positive CC screening.
There is 66.2% drop rate from follow-up ppst-positive.
My study experience was positive.
My study experience in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence has been both interesting and valuable. I especially liked the opportunity to learn practical skills such as data analysis, machine learning, and working on real-world projects, which helped me build strong technical and problem-solving abilities. One area that could be improved is increasing access to more advanced resources, research opportunities, and updated tools to better support students in keeping up with global developments in the field. More hands-on experience and industry exposure would also be beneficial. Overall, my study experience has been positive and rewarding. It has given me a strong academic foundation and prepared me for further studies and a future career in data science and artificial intelligence.
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?